LDCM is a joint NASA and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mission. It is the eighth satellite in the Landsat series, which began in 1972 and will add to the longest continuous data record of Earth's surface as viewed from space. LDCM will extend global land observations that are critical in many areas, such as energy and water management, forest monitoring, human and environmental health, urban planning, disaster recovery and agriculture.

Prelaunch and launch activities will take place Feb. 8-11. U.S. journalists should fax their accreditation requests on news organization letterhead to Kaylee Ausbun, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office at Vandenberg, at 805-606-4571, or email kaylee.ausbun@us.af.mil. Requests must include full legal name, date of birth and media affiliation. A government-issued photo identification will be required for entry to Vandenberg.

A prelaunch news conference and mission briefing featuring NASA and USGS scientists will be held from 3-5 p.m. EST (12-2 p.m. PST) Friday, Feb. 8, in NASA's Vandenberg Resident Office. The briefing will be carried live on NASA Television with question-and-answer capability available from NASA field centers and via Twitter with the hashtag #askNASA.

On launch day, NASA TV coverage and commentary will begin at 10:15 a.m. EST (7:15 a.m. PST). Spacecraft separation occurs one hour, 17 minutes, 58 seconds after launch. A post-launch news conference will be held approximately two hours after launch.

Live countdown coverage also will be available online. Launch updates will begin on NASA's launch blog at 10:15 a.m. EST (7:15 a.m. PST) Feb. 11. Coverage features live updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as streaming video clips highlighting launch preparations and liftoff. To view the launch blog, visit:

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., is responsible for LDCM project management. Orbital Sciences Corporation built the LDCM satellite. NASA's Launch Services Program at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida provides launch management. United Launch Alliance of Denver, Colo., is NASA's launch service provider of the Atlas V 401 rocket. After launch and the initial checkout phase, the USGS will take operational control of the satellite, and LDCM will be renamed Landsat 8.